C-Print is a real-time, computer-aided, speech-to-print transcription system developed at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) as a support service option for some deaf and hard-of-hearing students in mainstream educational environments.

It was developed by NTID researchers eager to improve the classroom experience for students at both the secondary and college levels and is being used successfully in many programs around the country.

Research supports the idea that some deaf and hard-of-hearing students prefer printed text of lectures--the basis of the C-Print system--over sign language interpreters or notetakers as a means of acquiring information.

A typist called a C-Print Captionist types a teacher's lecture (and students' comments) into a laptop computer. The typed information is displayed simultaneously on a second laptop computer or a television monitor for students to read during class. Afterward, the printed text is available to students for review purposes.

The captionist types as much information as possible, generally providing a more complete representation of what was said than summary notes.

"I really like the fact that C-Print provides classroom discussion visually. I prefer C-Print to a notetaker because I can get all the information that went on in class. I haven't had any problems with this technology and there is nothing I don't like about it!" Eva Causerano, Student, Camden County College, Blackwood, New Jersey.

"Deaf and hard-of-hearing students now have available to them an objective transcript of the class lecture from which they can derive their own notes to help prepare class assignments and study for tests." Robert Beck, Associate Professor, Northwest Connecticut Community College, Winsted, Connecticut.

"C-Print is a great aid for many deaf and hard-of-hearing students in the classroom. With C-Print, students who have been relying only on notetaking services, but need additional visual support, are able to participate more fully in the classroom." Josie Durkow, Director, Program for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students, Camden County College, Blackwood, New Jersey.